Maybe as an aspiring writer (who hopes to one day publish and sell a lot of copies of her novel) I've got it all bass-ackwards. As a kid I loved nothing more than going to my local library, roaming the shelves, and coming home with a stack of new treasures. When my daughter was young we did the library thing together but it's only been in the last few years that I've really rediscovered the library. While I do collect some of my favourite authors -- Stephen King, John Steinbeck, Dennis Lehane, Chris Grabenstein -- I can neither afford to buy, nor care to shelve, all of the books that I read. One of the things that I really love about borrowing library books is the anticipation of actually getting the book in my hot little hands. In these times of instant gratification, it's almost hard to remember what it's like to have to wait for something. Without a doubt, for me, it adds to the enjoyment when I finally get a book I've waited months to read. Oh, and then there's the Library Without Walls where I can borrow and download e-books to my Kobo. The sole reason I went with the Kobo was the ability to borrow library books.
And there is much more to the library than meets the eye. It's not just about books. Next to reading, I watch a lot of movies. And I haven't had to rent one in years, thanks to the library. As with books, I collect my favourites (translation: anything with Johnny Depp but even I draw the line at The Man Who Cried, The Libertine, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). But I've seen a lot of films, documentaries included, that I wouldn't have if I'd had to pay for them. And with some, boy am I glad I didn't have to pay for them. I mean, The Tree of Life....really? I've got no problem turning something off if it's free. The key to borrowing DVD's from the library is to watch the movie release dates and get your hold in while the DVD is still on order. If you're lucky you'll get it before that doofus who apparently uses them as a plate for his peanut butter and jam sandwich.
Recently I discovered Zinio through my library. Once again, free to register to access all kinds of magazines -- from news to fitness to gardening and everything in between. Even Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and The Writer, one of the two subscriptions I opted out of this year to cut down on clutter. Sure, I know, many magazines offer subscriptions in PDF format now, but I'm talking FREE here people. That's my kind of language.
On another note...Damn you, George RR Martin. For getting me hooked on a Song of Ice and Fire. I've just downloaded book three, A Storm of Swords, to my Kobo. Over 1200 pages. George, you're killing me for being on pace for 60 books this year. And don't even get me started on the HBO series. After watching season one of Game of Thrones through library DVD's, I bought season two from Amazon. Ahhh....sometimes instant gratification feels soooo good.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Friday, 22 February 2013
Colour Me Blue
Denim blue, that is. I have -- correction...HAD -- eleven pairs of jeans in my closet. What is it that compels me to keep buying them? Closer examination of said collection is like an archeological dig through my recent past.
I was definitely shopping with my daughter when I bought the Old Navy pair. A small attempt at recapturing my lost youth, but getting them home I had to admit -- I'm not a low rise kind of girl. Never have been and, judging by the comfort factor of these jeans, never will be. What's this at the very bottom of the pile? Oh my...Mom Jeans. Remember that old ad skit on Saturday Night Live? I may not be low rise but loooong gone are the days when zipping up to the armpits was fashionable. (Was it ever?) Then there's the four pairs with the inner thighs totally worn through. Too bad, they were some comfy jeans...which explains the holes. I'll salvage a couple to wear doing yard work. I guess I'm showing my age by admitting that I wear the holes into the jeans rather than buying them that way. Here's a pair that I can put on and take off without even undoing them. And two pair of "designer" jeans that, well, apparently weren't "designed" for my life.
Which brings me to my everyday jeans: Eddie Bauer slightly curvy bootcut with a mid rise. A big thank you to whoever thought of adding the 1% lycra spandex...just enough so I can still do them up when they come straight from the drying but not so much that the knees get baggy after sitting down. But why is it that jeans always shrink in and never up? And just who are these long-legged beauties for whom the "regular" length are made? Hey, I'm regular...so why are the "regular" jeans always two inches too long and the "short" jeans just that little bit too short?
One final observation: it's pretty apparent from the assortment of sizes in my closet that clothing manufacturers are now putting size 6 on what used to be a 10. We're on to you. And we appreciate the mind game...even if we know we're playing it.
I was definitely shopping with my daughter when I bought the Old Navy pair. A small attempt at recapturing my lost youth, but getting them home I had to admit -- I'm not a low rise kind of girl. Never have been and, judging by the comfort factor of these jeans, never will be. What's this at the very bottom of the pile? Oh my...Mom Jeans. Remember that old ad skit on Saturday Night Live? I may not be low rise but loooong gone are the days when zipping up to the armpits was fashionable. (Was it ever?) Then there's the four pairs with the inner thighs totally worn through. Too bad, they were some comfy jeans...which explains the holes. I'll salvage a couple to wear doing yard work. I guess I'm showing my age by admitting that I wear the holes into the jeans rather than buying them that way. Here's a pair that I can put on and take off without even undoing them. And two pair of "designer" jeans that, well, apparently weren't "designed" for my life.
Which brings me to my everyday jeans: Eddie Bauer slightly curvy bootcut with a mid rise. A big thank you to whoever thought of adding the 1% lycra spandex...just enough so I can still do them up when they come straight from the drying but not so much that the knees get baggy after sitting down. But why is it that jeans always shrink in and never up? And just who are these long-legged beauties for whom the "regular" length are made? Hey, I'm regular...so why are the "regular" jeans always two inches too long and the "short" jeans just that little bit too short?
One final observation: it's pretty apparent from the assortment of sizes in my closet that clothing manufacturers are now putting size 6 on what used to be a 10. We're on to you. And we appreciate the mind game...even if we know we're playing it.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
The Hanger Trick
I hate purging clothes. Give me the workshop any day. Unidentified do-dad? Garbage. Outdated gadget? Toss it. Useless thing-a-ma-jig? It's out of here. But clothes are a long, slow, tedious, drawn out process. All that trying on. All that looking at it in the mirror from every possible angle. It's kind of like going to court. The prosecutor and defence are both trying to make their case. 'You haven't worn this thing in years'... 'yeah, well maybe I'll wear it now' ... 'it's old, outdated and you hate it' ... 'yeah, but it's still in good condition.' Objection!
I think it's time for the hanger trick. I tried this once before with moderate success. Now, with my new found purging mentality, this could be the ticket to painless closet cleaning. The idea is simple -- take everything out of the closet that's on a hanger and put them back facing backwards, you know, hanger hook facing out. Consider this death row. Set a time limit -- an appeals period -- before sentence is carried out...maybe a season or two, maybe a few months. No, not a year. Every time you wear something, put it back with the hanger facing the right way. That item of clothing has won its appeal. It gets a stay of execution and is re-sentenced to life in the closet. But no sympathy outings for an item that's on the verge of going. No wearing something for an hour just to save its life.
But here's the real trick to the hanger trick -- at the end of the appeals period DO NOT try the stuff on again. At the end of the appeals period it's execution time for anything still facing the wrong way. 'Cause if you haven't worn something during that whole time, what's the likelihood you will? Perfect example: I have a Hawaiian shirt in my closet that, get this, has been there since 1993. Wanna hear something better? I have never worn this shirt. So...sorry Hawaiian shirt, the governor didn't call. Been nice knowing you.
On another note...The aspiring writer in me is pretty excited to report that a story I submitted to a UK writer's magazine short story contest won second place in its category. My story, LITTLE BLACK DRESS, appears in their on line publication, their print magazine and will be published in an anthology in June. The magazine, Words With Jam, can be found at www.wordswithjam.co.uk and the contest winners are in the February edition. Better yet, the online publication is free. I invite you to take a look.
I think it's time for the hanger trick. I tried this once before with moderate success. Now, with my new found purging mentality, this could be the ticket to painless closet cleaning. The idea is simple -- take everything out of the closet that's on a hanger and put them back facing backwards, you know, hanger hook facing out. Consider this death row. Set a time limit -- an appeals period -- before sentence is carried out...maybe a season or two, maybe a few months. No, not a year. Every time you wear something, put it back with the hanger facing the right way. That item of clothing has won its appeal. It gets a stay of execution and is re-sentenced to life in the closet. But no sympathy outings for an item that's on the verge of going. No wearing something for an hour just to save its life.
But here's the real trick to the hanger trick -- at the end of the appeals period DO NOT try the stuff on again. At the end of the appeals period it's execution time for anything still facing the wrong way. 'Cause if you haven't worn something during that whole time, what's the likelihood you will? Perfect example: I have a Hawaiian shirt in my closet that, get this, has been there since 1993. Wanna hear something better? I have never worn this shirt. So...sorry Hawaiian shirt, the governor didn't call. Been nice knowing you.
On another note...The aspiring writer in me is pretty excited to report that a story I submitted to a UK writer's magazine short story contest won second place in its category. My story, LITTLE BLACK DRESS, appears in their on line publication, their print magazine and will be published in an anthology in June. The magazine, Words With Jam, can be found at www.wordswithjam.co.uk and the contest winners are in the February edition. Better yet, the online publication is free. I invite you to take a look.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Oh, Hello Desk
Yes, it has been a while. It's just that, well, you've been kind of piled up lately.... Yes, I know that's my fault. But I promise it won't happen again.... Yes, I know I've said that before.... Oh, come on, that's a bit of an exaggeration. I haven't said it a million times.... No, I know don't what it feels like to be buried alive.... No, I don't want to try it. That's a little dramatic, don't you think?
Yes, I know I've been spending more time with computer desk these days.... Now don't sulk. You know I don't do any serious writing there.... Yes, you're still my special writing place.... What? You expect to see me here every day? But.... I.... There's.... Hey! Can I get a word in here? All I can say is I'll promise to try. But some days there's other stuff I have to do.... Yes, I know. If I can make the time to watch TV, I can make the time to write.... Look, the guilt trip isn't going to work. I can lay enough guilt on myself without your help, thank you very much.... Oh all right. I think I can manage an hour a day to start. And that sarcastic tone doesn't help.
Okay, yes, it's a deal. Shake.... Yeah? Well I thought it was funny.
On another note...I like to do my writing long hand and then revise as I type on the computer. But I also have this cool device called a Neo. It's a full keyboard with a very small screen, enough to show about six lines of text depending on the font size I chose. The AA batteries last forever and it's light and portable. It connects to my desk top to download or sends directly to the printer. The advantage over a lap top, aside from price, is that it doesn't bing, ding, beep or chime. No email, no internet, no distractions. Just word count and dictionary. And unlike some other things in my house, it never talks back.
Yes, I know I've been spending more time with computer desk these days.... Now don't sulk. You know I don't do any serious writing there.... Yes, you're still my special writing place.... What? You expect to see me here every day? But.... I.... There's.... Hey! Can I get a word in here? All I can say is I'll promise to try. But some days there's other stuff I have to do.... Yes, I know. If I can make the time to watch TV, I can make the time to write.... Look, the guilt trip isn't going to work. I can lay enough guilt on myself without your help, thank you very much.... Oh all right. I think I can manage an hour a day to start. And that sarcastic tone doesn't help.
Okay, yes, it's a deal. Shake.... Yeah? Well I thought it was funny.
On another note...I like to do my writing long hand and then revise as I type on the computer. But I also have this cool device called a Neo. It's a full keyboard with a very small screen, enough to show about six lines of text depending on the font size I chose. The AA batteries last forever and it's light and portable. It connects to my desk top to download or sends directly to the printer. The advantage over a lap top, aside from price, is that it doesn't bing, ding, beep or chime. No email, no internet, no distractions. Just word count and dictionary. And unlike some other things in my house, it never talks back.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Facing My Fear
I knew it would happen one day and it had to be done. I had to face my fear to find out what I was really made of. Did I have the jam to go in and emerge unscathed? Taking a deep breath, I plunged -- through the door and into the cavernous expanse of.....COSTCO: Mecca of Impulse Buying. I was confident and going in armed -- list in one hand and...no buggy. If I couldn't carry it, it wasn't coming out with me. Then, a near fatal error just inside the door. Without thinking I took the coupon sheet from the extended hand. Don't look, just hand it back, I screamed in my head (at least I hope it was only in my head). But I couldn't stop myself. I glanced at it. Whew! Nothing called out to me. I tossed it.
There were only four items on my list and I knew roughly where to find them. I shot furtive looks down the aisles, not daring to venture in too far. But damn -- the sample people were out in full force. I'd pledged to myself, no samples, NO SAMPLES, but my hand shot out and snagged one before I fully realized what I was doing. You have to understand, I was hungry. I couldn't help myself. And it was only a couple of small cracker chip type things. Something whole grainy. That's a good thing. Hmmm, with a mango curry seasoning. Crunch, crunch....Oh rapture! So tasty. I slowed, looked over my shoulder, even took a hesitant step back. They were soooo good. Maybe just one bag.
Suddenly, I shook my head, breaking the trance. I bolted from the aisle making a wide berth around the popcorn samples. I began to chant the items on my list: parmesan cheese, craisins, tortellini, white nitrile gloves. I plucked them from the shelves and made a beeline for the checkout, staying as far away from the baked goods section as the store would allow. The lines at checkout were mercifully short. No time to examine other people's buggies to see what tasty morsels in mega size packages I was missing out on.
As I approached the exit and the receipt checking ritual, I could feel the smile beginning to spread across my face. Head held high I emerged into the afternoon sunshine. I had done it. I'd stuck to my list and spent less than $60. A Costco miracle!
There were only four items on my list and I knew roughly where to find them. I shot furtive looks down the aisles, not daring to venture in too far. But damn -- the sample people were out in full force. I'd pledged to myself, no samples, NO SAMPLES, but my hand shot out and snagged one before I fully realized what I was doing. You have to understand, I was hungry. I couldn't help myself. And it was only a couple of small cracker chip type things. Something whole grainy. That's a good thing. Hmmm, with a mango curry seasoning. Crunch, crunch....Oh rapture! So tasty. I slowed, looked over my shoulder, even took a hesitant step back. They were soooo good. Maybe just one bag.
Suddenly, I shook my head, breaking the trance. I bolted from the aisle making a wide berth around the popcorn samples. I began to chant the items on my list: parmesan cheese, craisins, tortellini, white nitrile gloves. I plucked them from the shelves and made a beeline for the checkout, staying as far away from the baked goods section as the store would allow. The lines at checkout were mercifully short. No time to examine other people's buggies to see what tasty morsels in mega size packages I was missing out on.
As I approached the exit and the receipt checking ritual, I could feel the smile beginning to spread across my face. Head held high I emerged into the afternoon sunshine. I had done it. I'd stuck to my list and spent less than $60. A Costco miracle!
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